Synth legend Vince Clarke is conducting a pretty unique “synth” competition:

“We all know about ‘Air Guitar’ (a form of movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar) and ‘Beatboxing’ (a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, using one’s mouth, lips, tongue, and voice).

“But what about ‘Synth Gurning’? Synth Gurning is defined as the art of producing synth sounds or effects using just the voice whilst pulling a funny face.

“In order to give this little known artform the attention and respect it rightly deserves, we’re launching the worlds first International Synth Gurning competition.

“The concept is simple. We’d like you to video yourself making your own synth sound or effect with just your voice. We’re also looking for ‘interesting facial expression’ (gurning), to enhance the performance. Basically we want to hear you make silly sounds and see your face while you do so.

“Like Vince, you may already have a head full of synth sounds in which case you can freestyle your entry as in this example [above] recorded by Vince himself.”

Clarke calls this a “just for fun” project, but is offering up his own personally autographed, limited-edition, Mute Synth to the best performer. Slightly less funny-looking (and sounding) runners-up will receive signed “certificates of distinction.”

The Mute Synth is a hand-held touch and tilt instrument with copper etched artwork. The synth is controlled by the conductivity of the human body which completes the instrument’s circuit when the copper etching is touched.

To enter the First International Synth Gurning Competition record a video of yourself reproducing a synth sound with nothing but your voice. Upload the completed video to YouTube and email the link to Vince Clarke Music (info here) before midnight (UK time) on August 16, 2013. Vince will personally view all the entries and the winners will be announced a fortnight later.